Always nice to be at the pinnacle

Always nice to be at the pinnacle: Anand
A STAFF REPORTER
Tuesday , December 22 , 2009

Calcutta: World No. 3 and reigning world champion Viswanathan Anand was in town to felicitate the East Zone winners of the NIIT Mindchampions Academy — Chess Master 2009, on Monday. From playing simultaneous chess with youngsters to teaching a trick or two to magician PC Sorcar, or signing around 100 autographs, Anand had a rollicking time at the DPS, Ruby Park. The smiling assassin also took time out to interact with the media.

The following are excerpts

How does it feel to be a world champion?

A It gives me a kick to be a world champion. Yeah, it’s always nice to be at the pinnacle and find out how it looks from the top. But being a champion has never made me feel complacent. In fact, it gives me impetus to work harder and strive to be better.

Whether defending the world title brings added pressure

Not really. I am not the defending champion in the sense that I won’t be winning the title if I drew with (Vaselin) Topalov. The match will go to the tie-breakers.

[Anand, who defeated Vladimir Kramnik to win the 2008 crown, will be playing current world No. 1 Vaselin Topalov for the world title in April next year.]

His preparation for the world title

The first part of 2010 will be hectic. In January, I am playing the Corus chess and in April, the World Championship. I am preparing hard for the April meet. Working more than 12 hours a day. Preparing for a World Championship is no mean task. You have to work 10 times more than what you do under normal circumstances. Physically and mentally, I have to be at my peak. I have to be ready to fight till the end.

The difference between Kramnik and Topalov

Kramnik is more from the classical school of chess. While Topalov loves to move around. I will have to look for chinks in Topalov’s armour and try to guess which way to attack.

His form before the World Championship has always been far from satisfactory. Is it a ploy to fool his opponent when the real battle begins?

I don’t think so. You don’t do these things intentionally. It’s just that this year I haven’t performed well enough to win a title.

Is the poor form a cause for concern?

No way. I know how to reach my peak when it comes to the crunch. If you don’t give your best in the World Championship, where else do you give? I will be motivated enough in April to give my best shot.

Here is the full article.